The Agency for Healthcare Research ...

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a report about the management of chronic hypertension in pregnancy, according to an Oct 11 2000 pres release from the agency. The Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) San Antonio, Tex of AHRQ was asked to direction a systematic review and analysis of the popular literature regarding chronic hypertension during pregnancy, including evidence regarding risks of chronic hypertension, benefits and adverse efficiencys of pharmacotherapy, nonpharmacologic treatments, and monitoring techniques.

Chronic hypertension, defined as hypertension diagnosed before pregnancy or before 20 weeks' gestation, is a complication in 1% to 5% of all pregnancies. It is associated with serious maternal and fetal complications, including preeclampsia, premature delivery, and stillbirth. The EPC build insufficient high-quality research to answer its questions and made a number of recommendations about subsequent time research.

The EPC did find, however, that several antihypertensive medications have been associated with specific adverse results to the fetus. The EPC also base that low-dose aspirin, which frequently is used to prevent preeclampsia, does not significantly render the risk of that complication. A summary of the report is available at http://www.ahrq.gov/ clinic/epcix.htm.

AHRQ Issues Evidence Report forward the Management of Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy (new release, Agency for Healthcare Research and Qualify: Rockville, Md Oct 11 2000) 1

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